How do you choose a screening tool for substance use disorders in older adults, and what do you do when a patient screens positive? We discuss common screening tools, assessments, and interventions based on an older adult’s risk level.

This study suggests that standard doses of lithium may delay or prevent dementia in patients with bipolar disorder.

With numerous treatment options available for bipolar depression and mania, clinicians often struggle to navigate between medication classes in balancing side effects, efficacy, and costs. Dr. Beyer shares his expertise in choosing first-, second-, third-, and fourth-line options based on their evidence in older adults.

In older adults, mania is more likely to be secondary to a medication or due to a neurological or
medical illness. We provide a mnemonic to help systematically think through the most likely
causes of secondary mania, which can help guide our workup.

If an older adult has a first episode of mania, how do we differentiate bipolar disorder from other causes? Dr. Lehmann provides us with an overview of the course of the illness over a patient’s lifespan with helpful considerations in approaching the differential diagnosis.

By successfully completing the test you will be awarded a certificate for 2 CME credits.